In a remarkable display of skill, Kenya’s tennis sensations, Angela Okutoyi and Nagomi Higashitani, advanced to the semifinals of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women’s Tour (W25) on Wednesday evening.
The duo secured their spot after overcoming the second-seeded pair of Maria Fernanda Gonzalez (Colombia) and Ksenia Laskutova with a hard-fought victory of 7-6 (3), 7-5 at Karen Country Club in Nairobi.
Facing challenges in the singles category, Okutoyi encountered a setback, bowing out in the quarterfinals with a score of 6-4, 6-4 against China’s Jing Lu. Reflecting on the singles match, Okutoyi shared the difficulties she faced on the court, emphasizing the unpredictable bounce of the ball.
“The challenging part was trying to get the ball in the right position because they were always bouncing oddly. So, I felt like it was really tough for me to place the balls due to the bounce sometimes.”
However, the disappointment in the singles category was balanced by success in the doubles, where Okutoyi and Higashitani formed a seamless partnership. Overcoming setbacks in both sets, the duo leveled the score at 5-5 before making a triumphant surge to secure victory.
“I expected me and my partner to be aggressive and play each one at a time and just be aggressive, taking our time and being ahead in each game,” Okutoyi remarked on their successful doubles performance.
The win in the doubles category not only showcased the tenacity and resolve of Okutoyi and Higashitani but also served as a noteworthy consolation for Okutoyi after her singles defeat.
